Device for interlocking two parts

ABSTRACT

A device for interlocking two disc-like parts ( 2, 3 ) comprises a locking element ( 4 ), which presents first locking means ( 5 ) for fixing the locking element to a first one ( 3 ) of the parts, and second locking means ( 6 ) for fixing the second one ( 3 ) of the parts in relation to the locking element, and thereby in relation to the first part ( 2 ) as the latter and the locking element are interconnected. The first locking means ( 5 ) of the locking element and the first part ( 2 ) comprise a first set of first and second locking members ( 6′, 7 ) engaging each other. These first and second locking members are designed as a projection ( 6 ′) and a recess ( 7 ), respectively. These are mobile into engagement with each other in a direction (R 1 ) which forms an angle that is preferably generally perpendicular in relation to the plane ( 3 ) of the first part ( 2 ).

THE FIELD OF INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

This invention relates to a device for interlocking two disc-like partsaccording to the preamble of the annexed claim 1. Said disc-like partsare, preferably, comprised by a packing, such as a box, a container, aloading pallet-like device, etc. The disc-like parts may, for example,have the character of walls, bottom and/or lid for the box in question.

The use of separate locking elements is known. For example, it can bereferred to the Swedish Patent 8306155-6. In this patent, lockingelements which are lockable in relation to a holder element thanks tothe locking element presenting a turned end are disclosed, said endforming an anchorage in relation to the holder element. The second endof the locking element is to be bent for a locking in relation to theother locking means, for example after having been put through a slit inthe latter.

There are lots of disadvantages of this prior art. For example, it isquite difficult to bring the locking element into an adequateengagement, such that the parts are interconnected. When the lockingengagement is to be released, the locking element has to be bent inorder to bring it out of its locking engagement. Furthermore, the knownsolution requires that particular holder elements are produced and fixedto the first part. Such holder elements complicate the execution both asa consequence of the cost of the holder elements themselves and the veryapplication of the holder elements onto the first part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to further develop prior art,such that the device can be simplified in at least some aspects, but, inspite of that, be put in a locking condition and released respectivelywithout any particular difficulty.

According to the invention, this objective is achieved by providing thedevice with the features referred to in the annexed patent claims, andparticularly the features defined in claim 1.

By means of the solution defined in claim 1, the objective is achievedas the first and second locking members of the first set are designed asa projection and a recess respectively, and as the projection and therecess are mobile into engagement with each other in a direction whichforms an angle that is larger than 0° and less than 180°, preferably agenerally perpendicular angle, between itself and the plane of the firstdisc-like part. In other words, only one recess is thus required on thefirst part in order to realize the locking effect aimed at. Thereby,prerequisites of accomplishing the recess through a puce cavingoperation in the first part are created. This caving operation may, forexample, be performed actively by means of stamping, drilling, cutting,or other similar mechanical treatment operations, which might, forexample, be the case for disc-like parts made of plywood, plastic,sheet, etc. But the recess may also be realized in a way which is, so tosay, less “active”, for example by providing the dye with arecess-forming dye element during dye-casting of the first part, meaningthat a hole which constitutes said recess has been obtained in the dyepiece subsequently to the removal of the dye piece forming the firstpart from the casting dye.

However, it should be stated that it is within the scope of theinvention to design the recess in other ways, for example by letting amounting or an additional piece attached to the first part presentmaterial portions that delimit the recess. It is also within the scopeof the invention that the recess may go straight through the first partor have the character of a bottom hole, that is not passing all the waythrough the first part.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, thesecond locking means of the locking element and the second part comprisea second set of locking members comprising a hook and a socket, intowhich the hook is insertable, it being presumed, according to a furtherdevelopment, that the second locking means is insertable to engagementwith the socket arranged on the second part in a direction which extendswith an angle, preferably a generally perpendicular angle, in relationto the direction, in which the projection and the recess are mobile intoengagement with each other. Thanks to the latter condition, the secondlocking means will be effectively locked in relation to the socket bybringing the projection and the recess into a locking engagement witheach other.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention and advantages relatedhereto will be evident from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the annexed drawings, a more detailed description ofan embodiment of the invention referred to by way of example, willfollow below:

In the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a box provided with theinventive device,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, partly in cross-section, illustrating thelocking device of the box according to FIG. 1, but from a sideview,

FIG. 3 is a view showing the same components as FIG. 2, but illustratingthe locking device in a locked position,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views from opposite directions of theinventive locking element, as seen in a condition, in which the stopelement is in an inactive condition, and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, but illustrating thestop means inserted into a cavity in the recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1-3 a box, generally indicated with 1, is illustrated. The boxcomprises two parts 2 and 3, respectively. These parts have thecharacter of discs. Here, it is suggested that one 2 of the parts iscomprised by a wall, while the other part 3 is comprised by a lid.However, this is not critical for the idea of the invention; the twoparts could, on the other hand, be comprised by wall/bottom, wall/wall,or any other arbitrary combination of two disc-like parts of boxes,packings, or the like, or other constructions.

The inventive locking device comprises a locking element, generallyindicated with 4. This locking element presents first locking means 5for fixing the locking element 4 to the part 2, and second locking means6 for fixing the locking element in relation to the second part 3, thetwo parts 2, 3 being possible to lock in relation to each other via thelocking element 4.

The first locking means 5 of the locking element 4 and the part 2comprise a first set of first and second locking members, 6′, 7 engagingeach other. These first and second locking members are designed as aprojection 6′ and a recess 7 respectively, and they are mobile intoengagement with each other in a direction R1 which defines an anglewhich is larger than 0° and less than 180°, preferably a generallyperpendicular angle, in relation to the plane P of the disc-part 2. Whathas been stated thus implies that the recess 7 of the example willextend with its geometric axis generally perpendicularly to the plane Pof the part 2.

Although it would be possible, according to the invention, that portionsdelimiting the recess 7 would be made of an elastically deformablematerial, the projection 6′ itself is, in this example, supposed to beaccomplished by means of such an elastically deformable material, atleast partly.

The projection 6′ is designed such that an engagement between theprojection and the recess is obtained when they are brought together.

Thereby, it is preferred that the projection 6′ presents elasticallydeformable members which are to be received in the recess 7. As might beseen most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 7, these elastically deformable members8 are four as to their number in this example. However, it is alsowithin the scope of the invention that the number of elasticallydeformable members is anything from one and more.

At ends projecting from a base 9 of the locking element 4, theelastically deformable members 8 present gripping parts 10 for grippingbehind the portions 11 of the part 2 that delimit the recess 7, in a wayillustrated in FIG. 3

The elastically deformable members 8 may be described as having thecharacter of resilient arms which project from the base 9 of the lockingelement 4. In the example illustrated on the drawing, the projection 6′is supposed to penetrate through the recess 7, implying that the lengthof the projection 6′ must be at least equal to the thickness of the part2. However, this is not a requirement, and the recess 7 in the part 2could, on the other hand, have the character of a bottom hole.Furthermore, the recess 7 could be designed at the inside in such a waythat it would obtain a shoulder, around which the gripping parts 10could grip in order to enable these gripping parts 10 to establish anengagement with such a shoulder without needing to reach behind theinside of the part 2, indicated with 12 in FIG. 2.

The inventive device comprises a stop means 13 for stopping theprojection 6′ from being deformed such that the form-locking engagementbetween the projection and the recess 7 ceases. More precisely, the stopmeans 13 is insertable into a cavity 14 in the recess 6′ in a wayindicated by FIGS. 3 and 6-7. In this example, the stop means has thecharacter of a tap which, when being inserted into the cavity 14,prevents the elastically deformable members from resiliently pushinginwards, such that the engagement with the portions surrounding therecess ceases.

The second locking means 6 of the locking element and the second part 3comprise a second set of locking members comprising a hook 16 and asocket 16, into which the hook is insertable.

In the example, the socket 16 has the character of a slit, and it isformed by means of a mounting 17 fastened to the part 3. This mounting17 more precisely has the character of a band which, suitably, isangular in such a way that it bears on one of the flat sides of the part3 with a first flange 18, while a second flange 19 of the mounting 17bears on the externally directed edge surface of the part 3. At theflange 19 there are portions 20 which are bent outwards and which formthe socket 16 for receiving the hook 15 in a way which is indicated inFIG. 3. The bending of the portion 20 outwards enables the hook 15 tofind enough space in the socket 16, not withstanding the condition thatthe flange 19 of the mounting 17 at the side of the externally bentportion 20 suitably bears on the edge surface 26 of the part 3.

The socket 16 is open for the reception of the hook 15 through a slot inthe flange 19, indicated with 21. In the example, the slot 21 issuggested to be located at a distance from the intersection 22 betweenthe flanges 18 and 19, but the slot 21 could, of course, be located inthe region of said intersection 22, such that the portion 20,accordingly, corresponds generally to the whole width of the flange 19.Such variations within the frame of the inventive theme is within thearea of knowledge of the average man skilled in the art.

The locking means 6, more precisely the hook 15, is insertable toengagement with the socket 16 in a direction R2 which extends in anangle, preferably a generally perpendicular-angle, in relation to thedirection R1, in which the projection; 6′ and the recess 7 are mobileinto engagement with each other.

Although the inventive locking element could be made of arbitrarymaterials, such as metals, it is preferred that it is designed as onepiece made of a polymer.

It is preferred that the stop means 13 and the locking element 4 arealso interconnected by means of a flexible connection member 23. In thecase, where the locking element 4 is produced as one piece of a polymer,also the production of the stop means 13, and the connection member 23is accomplished simultaneously with the production of the lockingelement.

The connection member 23 should, of course, have such a length that itpermits the stop means 13 to be brought into the cavity of theprojection 6′, as is indicated in FIG. 3.

It is preferred that the stop means 13, which has the shape of a tap,presents a projecting flange 24, the objective of which is to facilitatethe removal of the stop means 13 from its position in the cavity 14 ofthe projector 6, for example by means of a screw-driver or a similartool.

It is preferred that the locking element 4 presents at least one, and inthe example two, weakened bending zones 25 in the region between thevery hook 15 and the projection 6′. The objective of these bending zonesis to absorb the possible bends that are required as the hook 15 isbrought into engagement with the socket 16 and the subsequentdisplacement of the projection 6′ into the recess 7. As a matter ofform, it is noted that it is within the scope of the invention not toarrange one or more specific bending zones 25 obtained through aweakening of the material in the locking element 4, but that the devicecould be such that the whole portion which connects the hook 15 and theprojection 6′ could be arranged to be able to be subjected to such abending, if that is required under the circumstances in order to bringthe locking element into a locking engagement with the parts 2, 3 andrelease the locking element, respectively.

During the use of the inventive locking element, the hook 15 is firstmoved into the socket 16′, and then the projection 6′ is moved into therecess 7, followed by the stop means 13 being moved into position insidethe projection 6′, accomplishing the situation according to FIG. 3,where the locking element effectively interlocks the parts 2, 3, andwhere any unintentional release of the engagement between the projection6′ and the recess 7 does not need to be expected. During a release ofthe locking element, the stop means 13 is removed out of the projection6′, and then the latter is pulled out of the recess 7, whereafter thehook 15 can be moved out of the socket 16.

The inventive locking element is extremely easy for the users tomanipulate. Especially by the embodiment of the locking element made ofa plastic material, prerequisites are accomplished for a lockingelement, all the parts of which adhere to each other, and also the riskof having accidents is substantially reduced in comparison to a casewhere the locking element would be produced out of metal. An embodimentof plastic also implies less noise during manipulation, and lowerfreight weights. However, it should be noted that it is within the scopeof the invention to make the locking element of metal in the case ofparticularly demanding applications.

Of course, the invention is not delimited only to the disclosedembodiment. Accordingly, a lot of modifications of the embodiments canbe made by the average man skilled in the art as soon as the inventiveidea has been disclosed. A few of these modifications have already beendiscussed above. This discussion should, however, not be seen ascomplete. The scope of the invention appears from the following patentclaims, including equivalent embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for interlocking two disk-like parts(2,3) comprising: a first disk-like part (2), a second disk-like part(3), a locking element (4) having first locking means (5) for fixing thelocking element (4) to the first (2) disk-like part, and second lockingmeans (6) for fixing to the second (3) disk-like part, such that saidfirst (2) and second (3) disk-like parts (2,3) are interlocked by saidlocking element (4), said first locking means (5) of said lockingelement (4) and said first disk-like part (2) comprising a set of first(6′) and second (7) locking members structured and arranged to engageeach other and formed as a projection (6′) and recess (7) respectively,said projection (6′) and recess (7) being movable into engagement withone another in a direction (R1) forming an angle larger than 0° and lessthan 180° in relation to a plane (P) of said first-disk part (2), atleast one of said projection (6′) and recess (7) being constituted byelastically deformable material, at least one of said projection (6′)and recess (7) having a design permitting form-locking engagement whenbrought together, and means (13) for stopping at least one of saidprojection (6′) and recess (7) from being deformed to release theform-locking engagement.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein saidangle is a generally perpendicular angle.
 3. A device according to claim1, wherein said stop means (13) are spaced from said second lockingmeans (6).
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said stop means(13) are structured and arranged to be insertable into at least one of acavity (14) defined in said projection (6′) and said recess (7) itself.5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said projection (6′) compriseselastically deformable members (8) which are structured and arranged tobe received in said recess (7) upon interlocking.
 6. A device accordingto claim 4, wherein said projection (6′) comprises elasticallydeformable members (8) which are structured and arranged to be receivedin said recess (7) upon interlocking.
 7. A device according to claim 5,wherein, at ends projecting from a base of said locking element (4),said elastically deformable members (8) have gripping parts (10)structured and arranged for gripping behind portions (11) of said firstdisk-like part (2) which delimit said recess (7) therethrough on a sideof said first disk-like part (2) opposite an insertion side of saidfirst locking means (5).
 8. A device according to claim 6, wherein, atends projecting from a base of said locking element (4), saidelastically deformable members (8) have gripping parts (10) structuredand arranged for gripping behind portions (11) of said first disk-likepart (2) which delimit said recess (7) therethrough on a side of saidfirst disk-like part (2) opposite an insertion side of said firstlocking means (5).
 9. A device according to claim 4, wherein saidprojection (6′) comprises elastically deformable members (8) which arestructured and arranged to be received in said recess (7) uponinterlocking and define said cavity (14) into which said stop means (13)is structured said arranged to be inserted for stopping said elasticallydeformable members (8) from moving, upon interlocking, such that theform-locking engagement is released.
 10. A device in accordance withclaim 7, wherein said elastically deformable members (8) define a cavity(14) in said projection (6′) and into which said stop means (13) isstructured and arranged to be inserted for stopping said elasticallydeformable members (8) from moving, upon interlocking, such thatengagement between said projection (6′) and recess (7) is released. 11.A device according to claim 9, wherein said elastically deformablemembers (8) comprise gripping parts (10) projecting from a base of saidlocking element (4) and structured and arranged for gripping behindportions (11) of said first disk-like part (2) which delimit said recess(7) therethrough on a side of said first disk-like part (2) opposite aninsertion side of said first locking means (5), with said stop means(13) structured and arranged to prevent said elastically deformablemembers (8) from moving such that engagement of said gripping parts (10)with said portions (11) of first disk-like part (2) delimiting saidrecess (7) is released.
 12. A device according to claim 10, wherein saidstop means (13) is structured and arranged for stopping said elasticallydeformable members (8) from moving upon interlocking such thatengagement of said gripping parts (10) with said portions (11) of saidfirst disk-like part (2) delimiting said recess (7) is released.
 13. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein said second locking means (6) ofsaid locking element (4) and said second disk-like part (3) comprise asecond set of locking members (15, 16) having a hook (15) and a socket(16) into which said hook (15) is structured and arranged to beinserted.
 14. A device according to claim 13, additionally comprising amounting (17) upon which said socket (16) is formed and structured andarranged to be fastened to said second disk-like part (3), With saidhook (15) being arranged upon said locking element (4).
 15. A deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein said second locking means (6) isstructured and arranged to be inserted into engagement with said socket(16) arranged upon such second disk-like part (3), in a direction (R2)that extends at an angle to the direction (R1) in which said projection(6′) and recess (7) of said first locking means (5) are movable intoengagement with each other.
 16. A device according to claim 15, whereinsaid angle is a substantially perpendicular angle.
 17. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said locking element (4) is formed as asingle, integral piece of polymer.
 18. A device according to claim 1,additionally comprising a flexible connection member (23)interconnecting said locking element (4) and stop means (13).
 19. Adevice according to claim 17, additionally comprising a flexibleconnection member (23) interconnecting said locking element (4) and stopmeans (13).